The Quartz 2x8S-3 (Russian Кварц 2х8С-3; the export version was labelled Quarz-Zoom DS8-3 with the German rather than the English spelling of quartz) is the USSR's most produced Double Super 8 movie camera. 211,374 cameras were produced at the Mechanical Factory Krasnogorsk (KMZ) in Russia from 1971 to 1983 according to the web site of the company's R&D centre. The record year was 1978 with 29,591 cameras produced.
Brief digression: The only other Double Super 8 camera made in the USSR was the Quartz 2x8S-1M (Russian Кварц 2х8С-1М; the export version was labelled Quarz DS8-M) of which 123,402 were produced between 1968 and 1977. That camera features a 1.9/12.5 lens (35mm equivalent of 76mm focal length) with included wide-angle and tele converter lenses for 6.25mm and 25mm focal length (35mm equivalent of 38mm and 153mm), respectively. Apart from the two Quartz cameras, there are only three more Double Super 8 cameras, the Canon Scoopic 8, the Elmo C-300 (aka Tri-Filmatic aka Tri-Matic), and the Pathé Webo.
Those among you who are new to movie cameras will ask what Double Super 8 means. And those who know about them will perhaps wonder why I bought a Double Super 8 camera rather than a camera using the much more common Super 8 film format.
Similar to photo cameras, there are many different formats of film for movie camera. For the amateur who doesn't have unlimited funds and who wants to be able to carry his camera without a pick-up, the smallest common format is the most convenient: 8mm film. That means that the film, including perforation, is 8mm (5/16") wide.
Unfortunately, there is not just one 8mm format, there are in fact four different 8mm formats: Double Super 8, Standard/Normal/Regular/Double 8, Single 8, and Super 8. Here is a short comparison table which I created to make my decision (the criteria are formulated so that a "Yes" always corresponds to an advantage, and a "No" to a disadvantage):
| Film format | DS8 | SNRD8 | Si8 | Su8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cassette | N | N | Y | Y |
| Double perforated | Y | Y | N | N |
| Larger super 8 film format | Y | N | N | Y |
| Mass-produced colour film available | N | N | Y | Y |
| No midway turnaround necessary | N | N | Y | Y |
| Lower price | Y | Y | N | N |
| Proper pressure plate | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Unlimited rewind | Y | Y | Y | N |
It is evident that when concentrating on the quality-related criteria rather than on the convencience-related criteria, Double Super 8 is the best choice and Super 8, the most common format, in fact the worst. Yes, Andec in Germany is now producing a precision pressure plate for Super 8, but paying yet another £100 to mitigate a major design problem of a film format is not exactly my idea of how things should go.
| Quartz 2x8S-3 technical data | |
|---|---|
| Lens | Meteor-8M 1.8/9-38 (35mm equivalent of 55-232mm focal length) |
| Film format | Double Super 8 (4.22x5.69mm), 2x7.5m or 2x10m spool |
| Film transport | manual (with spring wind) |
| Frames per second | single frame; 12, 18, 24, 36 |
| Corresponding shutter times | 1/20; 1/23, 1/34, 1/45, 1/68 |
| Film speed | manual selection (16, 22, 32, 45, 65, 90, 130, 180 GOST = 20, 25, 40, 50, 80, 100, 160, 200 ASA) * |
| Exposure meter | non-TTL (with filter thread), no batteries required (selenium cell) |
| Aperture control | match-needle metering (allows fully manual control from f/1.8 to f/22) |
| Dimensions (without hand grip) | 186x68x150mm (7 6/16 x 2 11/16 x 5 15/16 inches) |
| Weight | 1.6kg (3.5 lbs) |
I bought my Quartz (serial number 8140XX) in December 2005 via eBay for 99 euro (120 US dollars) including shipping. It arrived from Ukraine in just four working days, a record. It was originally sold on 10 August 1982 according to the store stamp in its passport. The original price, which is printed on the back of the factory box as well as in the passport, was 290 roubles.
Apart from the passport, my camera included the manual, a booklet with a list of repair workshops for KMZ photo and cine cameras all over the USSR, depth-of-field tables, a lens shade, two "Svema" film spools, a yellow filter, an ND filter, two corresponding filters for the exposure meter, two close-up lenses (250mm and 667mm), a film splitter to cut the 16mm roll into two Super 8 rolls, a small leather shoulder bag, and a couple of other small accessories.
I have to say that the build quality and finish of the Quartz are much better than that of any Soviet photo equipment I know. It might be tempting to say that this is simply because a cine camera was much more expensive than photo equipment, but at 290 roubles, this is not even true (the Salyut medium format camera, made in 1957-1973, sold for 400 roubles including a standard lens and a similar set of accessories). Everything feels solid, everything works, everything makes a very reliable impression. The (Russian) manual is also very luxurious compared to all Soviet photo camera manuals I know, with many example photos (of course black-and-white, but still), etc.
I ordered five 2x10m rolls of Czech Fomapan R100 black-and-white film (100 ISO) and hope to be able to start filming soon. I'm really looking forward to using this wonderful piece of equipment!
Links/Sources:
Brief Quartz 2x8S-3 user guide
Important note: This brief user guide is currently under construction. I am writing it using the Russian manual of the Quartz 2x8S-3 and the German manual of the Quarz DS-8M. I am offering this brief user guide as a courtesy to other users of the Quartz 2x8S-3 and take no responsibility whatsoever for damage or losses occuring due to using it.
The dial labelled SS/KS/1 (domestic version) or D/N/1 (export version) is for selecting the filming mode. For normal filming, select KS or N. For cable release operation, select SS or D. For single frame mode, select 1.
The dial labelled 12/18/24/36 is for selection of the filming speed (frames per second or fps). 18 fps is the standard speed for 8mm. For accelerated speed, choose 12, for slight slow-motion or sound filming, select 24, for slow-motion, select 36. Never run the camera without film at the 36 fps setting!
The dial labelled K/SEK and ED/GOST (domestic version) or FPS and DIN (export version) is for the exposure meter. Make sure that the film sensitivity (measured in GOST or DIN) is opposite the correct filming speed. For 40 ASA film, select 32 GOST or 17 DIN. For 100 ASA film, select 90 GOST or 21 DIN.
The dial labelled VKL/OTKL (domestic version) or EIN/AUS (export version) is for controlling the pull-down claw. For normal filming, this dial has to be in the VKL or EIN position. The OTKL or AUS position is used for rewinding film (for lap dissolves) and for releasing pressure from the film-transport wind-up spring without transporting film.
The dial labelled M and 0 to 10 is the film counter. It shows how many unexposed meters of film remain before the film has to be turned around (first run) or developed (second run).
To start filming at standard settings (18 fps, 2x10m film, etc.):